Body Language

by Julius Fast

This classic books introduces kinetics, the science of non-verbal communication, which is used to analyze the common gestures we use and observe every day, gestures which reveal our deepest feelings and hidden thoughts to total strangers―if they know how to read them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Communication, Science, Reference, Sociology

184 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1970

About the author

Julius Fast was an American author of both fiction and nonfiction. In 1946 he was the first recipient of the Edgar Award given by the Mystery Writers of America for the best first novel of 1945.

Reviews

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The questions printed on the cover of this book is the reason for which I bought this book….and I did not find the answers in any page.

I guess this book’s body language is misleading.

As the writer stated at the end “Body language as a science is in its infancy, but this book has explored some of the ground rules…”
It’s an introductory book in body language, so don’t expect it to quench your thirst in this field.

[Jerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is groundbreaking... if you read it 40 years ago. Now, it's just filled with obvious observations that any half-way paying attention person can make like, "If a woman is frowning then she may--or may not--be upset." Ok, maybe the book isn't that obvious, but you don't really want me to spoil all of it for you, do you?

But I do want to thank Julius Fast for giving me the line, "Nah, baby, I wasn't staring. I was just admiring your particular mode of nonverbal communication. It's very inspiring." Good looking out Captain Obvious!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an undergraduate, I took a course called Reading People and Places. We read a lot of Roland Barthes. We wandered (or, rather, walked briskly) around DC and looked at architecture. We looked at pictures of fashion models in magazines and read elaborate descriptions of the meanings of men's suits. And at some point we learned about the work of Dr. Edward Hall and his theory of "proxemics," or how men use space to communicate with each other. I learned a great deal from that class, though I don't know that learning to take semiotics seriously (or to stay awake and focused through a chapter of Barthes's writing) was really part of it. Rather, I learned a few very interesting things about architecture and some intriguing theories about elements of human behavior, and I learned a great deal about my own reactions to what I saw as a high ratio of theoretical elaboration to clear evidence.

In some ways, this book reminds me of that class. There's clearly something to it, but I'm reflexively skeptical about the details. From time to time, I found myself thinking "that has to be contrived." But it was an interesting book as a whole; and, despite the breathless cover blurb, the tone is matter-of-fact.

Maybe I'm swayed, too, by the fact that Fast doesn't take his subject as well understood:

"Perhaps scratching the nose is an indication of disagreement, but it may also be an indication of an itchy nose. This is where the real trouble in kinesics lies, in separating the significant from the insignificant gestures, the meaningful from the purely random, or from the carefully learned."

[Emma Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want a book that tells you why you should learn body language, you've found what you're looking for — otherwise, this is a waste of your time.

I saved this book from being thrown away because I hoped I could glean some useful information about how to read (and, I confess, manipulate) body language. The questions on the cover suggested that the book would offer some helpful insight.

Unfortunately, the questions were a mere ploy to whet one's curiosity, not an actual offer to supply the answer. I forced myself to wade through the horrible writing in the hopes of reaching a chapter where some pertinent information would be detailed, but I did so in vain. This book is an ostentatious prologue to the actual art of reading body language. Fast often refers to the work of others, and for himself only drops a few hints and tidbits of information that could be practically applied.

In the end, I learned only a couples facts aside from figuring out I should have ditched this book in favour of something more contemporary and actually informative.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really have to say, this book interested me a lot! The power of body language is much stronger than I thought, and now I have learned so much about interpreting it and being aware of what one does - and that your body can say the opposite of what is coming out of your mouth!

If you're interested in people and culture, this is really a book you should check out. It's not long, and isn't written in a heavy, scientific matter.

Now as I've moved from Norway to Florida to work at the Epcot world showcase, I'm starting to become much more aware of the cultural differences we all have - including in body language.

[Ilze · Rating 3 out of 5]

What do I do with my hands??!!
Someone said I should keep an eye on my mother ... but that's the last person I want to be like ... so, having discovered a slick way out of my teenage conundrum, I read this book, which was neatly hidden in mom's bookshelf!

[Raquel Pimentel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is indeed a very interesting book. The subject covered in this book was not very developed at this time. With the evolution of communication (non-verbal), society has learned to understand the language of the body. But in reality, people still do not master this matter. The body speaks, and speaks truth, without our consent. Experts can discover truths through people's behavior and gestures. It is a very useful science in many professions. I have already published some articles (in Portuguese) on this topic. See some examples below.

«Ser ou não ser, eis a questão» (to be or not be the question) http://www.raquelpimentel.com/2012/07...

«A Linguagem do Corpo» (the body language) http://www.raquelpimentel.com/2012/07...

[Shaikha_a_140514]

It was interesting to read this book that really helps in our life and social one specifically . the writer previews Dr's opinions and studies about every movement we do and what does it mean in the body language . one of them says that if you were in a cafe and choose to set in the middle of an empty table , means that your body is saying " I don't want to share the table with anyone "

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the 4th edition (1971) and the cover was way more bitchin.

It has some serious "pc" issues, but served as an "at hand" (purchased used because the jacket is hilarious) introduction.

I'm sure there's a way better resource out there.

[Nhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Có 2 chương dành cho người độc thân - đọc hiểu tín hiệu người mình thấy hứng thú trong cuộc họp mặt công cộng. Có 4 vùng không gian ở mỗi cá nhân : thân mật - cá nhân - xã hội và công cộng. Mỗi cá nhân khi ra ngoài giao tiếp mang theo trong mình văn hoá gia đình- mà tác giả chia làm 2 kiểu : khép kín và mở. Cũng như cộng đồng, một gia đình khép kín sẽ chứa yếu tố bảo thủ, đè nén, trật tự, quyền hạn trong khi gia đình mở mang đến nhiều tự do và sự thoải mái. Có một ví dụ rất đặc biệt với tên gọi “tiệc im lặng” để chứng minh lời nói đôi khi để che đậy.

[Alistair Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Body Language, Julius Fast, 1967

My favorite quote: “The inheritance of instinct is not a simple matter, nor is the process of learning simple. It is difficult to pinpoint just how much of any system of communication is inherited and how much is learned. Not all behavior is learned, any more than it is all inherited, even in humans.” (This sent me down a rabbit-hole or two, let me tell you. Thanks, Julius Fast. I should have been writing or finishing my cross-stitch “Jesus Playing with Bunnies” quilt -- but no. Instead, I was reading about inherited versus learned body language and human behavior)

Most interesting characters: As a non-fiction book, Body Language doesn’t really have ‘characters’ in it (unless you count Julius Fast) so I really wish you’d stop asking me to name the characters in books that very clearly don’t have any (it’s like talking to a brick wall, you guys)

Opening scene: Julius Fast’s Body Language opens with a chapter called, ‘The Body is a Message,’ which sums up the basics of the science of non-verbal communication, setting the stage for the rest of the book

The gist: Body Language centers on the science of kinesics wherein author Julius Fast, a pre-med major at New York University, breaks down the unconscious physical signals telegraphed by human beings of the 1970s

Greatest strengths: While Body Language is readable and moderately interesting, I didn’t come away with any real new insights. Not only because it’s impossible to exist on this planet for a while without picking up the basic clues covered in this book, but because, despite the promises it makes, Body Language doesn’t offer anything concrete. Because it can’t. Body language means different things from different people at different times under different circumstances. That man folding his arms? He’s mad, right? Not necessarily. Maybe he’s cold, you judgy jerk. Is he closed off to your ideas? Maybe. Or maybe that’s just a comfortable position for him. Again, quit being so judgy, you jackass. You don’t know him. The point is, body language in and of itself is a tenuous communicator at best. I’m more inclined to put my eggs in the instinct basket. Meaning that I’ve gotten a lot more mileage from taking note of those quiet little internal knee-jerk responses I get from people and situations. Language (including body language) shifts and evolves, but instinct, in my experience, never lies

Standout achievements: I’m sure this book was pretty groundbreaking when it was first published about 60 years ago (it sold three million copies and was the first of its kind to use the phrase ‘body language’) but it’s pretty old hat now. That said, despite some very serious thank-you-Captain-Obvious moments (see that lady scowling? She’s not happy) I think Julius Fast did a fair job conveying the information. But if it has a “standout” achievement, it has to be that vintage cover with the vintage woman on it (assuming you find the same copy I did). I love it. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll make that my next cross-stitch pattern (but not till I’m done with my “Jesus Playing with Bunnies” quilt, which I’ve already put seven and a half years into -- I’m almost done with the Lord’s holy face and although He looks more like Charles Manson than the Savior right now, I will not rest until it is done. I figure, worst case, I’ll make it “Charles Manson Playing with Bunnies” and pretend I meant to do it that way all along.) But I digress (which is a fancy way of saying I can’t focus on shit and went into left field again.) The point is, this is a decent book. If you’re looking to learn how the ancient peoples of the 1970s communicated without words, Body Language might the book for you

Fun Facts: in 1946, Julius Fast was the very first recipient of the Edgar Award (given by the Mystery Writers of America) for best first novel. As a side note, in 1946, my mother wasn’t even a twinkle in my grandma’s eye. Not that my grandma’s eyes twinkled very often. It was more like they kind of just … drilled holes into you. Unless she’d been drinking. Then they twinkled. Oh, you’ve never seen a happier, brighter-eyed woman driving me to school on the days my mother was out with another one of her “headaches.” Ah, good times. But again, I digress …

Other media: It would be awesome if they made Julius Fast’s Body Language into a movie. Just a bunch of people moving around silently. Wait, they did that. It was called the 1920s. Sigh. You know, sometimes, it’s like every single good idea I have is already taken. It’s just horseshit is what it is

Additional thoughts: For some reason the name Julius Fast makes my mouth water. Probably because it makes me think of drinking an Orange Julius really fast, which also gives me phantom brain-freeze. And that puts me in the perfect state of mind to go lay some serious work on my “Jesus/Chuck Manson Playing with Bunnies” cross-stitch

Hit or Miss: Eh, let’s just put it somewhere right down the middle and call it good. I liked it but it could have been bigger and more stimulating (that’s what she said)

Haunt me: alistaircross.com

Read Body Language: https://tinyurl.com/45mmbrvu

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. 25 páginas y ya hay comentarios homófobos y machistas. Yo entiendo que esto fue escrito en 1970 y que han pasado más de 50 años, pero me niego a seguir leyendo.

[CatReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dated, and not in a good way.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

With reference to research, real life situations, and reasoning the authors attempt to describe what we know about human practice in proxemics, face, ritual, expression, and motion. This book, well, was written in the 70s (while reading I came across things that caused me to check this fact more than once), and it seems that there's little concern for the type of political correctness I experience now on a daily basis. Quite a bit of the book was entertaining to read, but I question the validity of some claims in the text. It's a bit too generalized at times and too vague at others. Nonetheless, it's interesting. There are probably better, more up to date reads on body language out there.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting in part and also rather dull. It is an older book so many of the examples use outdated information or subjects. I'm glad I finally read it though and can now cross it off of my list.

[Shara · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most common criticisms in writing workshops is there are too many smiling and eye verbs. What’s that? For those of you not in the know, it boils down to the fact that if there’s a gesture, the character usually smiles, or “does something” with his/her eyes. Narrowed eyes, glanced away, stared, etc. Any verb your eyes can do, or any description of eyes (fire raged within) falls under this category.[return][return]The reason writers do this is simple: we’re in the age of film. Movies and television shows have made an actor’s more subtle movements far more important, whereas before, in theater, gestures were grand and dramatic because we didn’t have the close up view. And, as many writers watch television and movies, we’re obviously influenced by what we see.[return][return]So, like many writers, I have a lot of smiling and eye verbs. So, in order to expand my knowledge of gestures and hone in on some other physical reactions, I picked this book up (it was recommended). Unfortunately, it wasn’t what I was expecting.[return][return]What was I expecting? Well, I guess something more along the lines of charts and the sort: look up anxiety and you get all kinds of gestures and movements that reveal anxiety. That sort of thing. And by the way, if anyone knows of such a book, please comment with the title, author, and a link. It’d be most appreciated.[return][return]However, I didn’t get what I wanted. Instead, the book was written at the cusp of what I’ll call the “body language revolution,” before too many people were made too conscious of what it was and how it could be utilized. Copyrighted in 1970 (expanded by Barnes & Noble in 2002), this book goes through the various ways of considering body language and how it was (is) an imprecise science.[return][return]While I’m familiar with a lot of this, reading the book made for a nice reminder for my own body language and the signals I might be sending out. It’s also nice to put a name to something and analyze it in life. But as for giving me greater insight to my characters and more options for my writing? Not so much.[return][return]However, understanding the basics of body language, if for nothing else than for your own self-awareness. The next step being watching how others interact with each other. I don’t know if I’d recommend this book in particular (after all, there’s tons of stuff out available nowadays, all divided into neat categories), but I’d definitely recommend reading up on the subject. It’s interesting enough, and can definitely be insightful.

[Khanh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Julius Fast’s Body Language , first published in the early 1970s, is often cited as one of the popularizing texts in the study of nonverbal communication. The book offers a broad overview of how posture, gestures, facial expressions, and spatial relationships communicate meaning beyond spoken words. Fast presents body language as largely unconscious, framing it as a universal human code—though one filtered through the lens of cultural norms. He also introduces ideas about personal space, instinctive boundaries, and the ways physical proximity can be perceived as threatening or intimate depending on context.

This is the first book on body language I have read outside of my academic pursuits, which ended over two decades ago. My earlier exposure to the subject came through required college studies, during which I found most available texts to be overly general and, more importantly, inattentive to the impact of different types of disabilities on nonverbal communication.

Body Language is no exception. The difference now is that I approached the work from a place of intellect rather than emotion; I am no longer offended by its lack of nuance or its outdated terminology, though these shortcomings remain noteworthy.

Written at a time when the Disabilities Rights movement was still in its infancy, the book reflects the medicalized and often dismissive attitudes toward disability that were prevalent then. Terms such as “mentally disturbed,” “mentally ill,” “insane,” and “handicapped” are used without hesitation, and disabilities—both physical and cognitive—are framed as deficits to be cured or as evidence of something profoundly wrong with a person. This worldview pervades the discussion, resulting in a text that often labels individuals in overly simplistic ways. For example, people who do not widen their eyes, shift their facial muscles in conventional ways, or use certain culturally recognized gestures are framed in narrow, and sometimes implicitly judgmental, terms. The book fails to account for physiological realities such as involuntary tics, stimming behaviors, or the inability to imitate expressions due to blindness or other conditions.

Because of these omissions, I do not think that Fast’s book can be considered a definitive guide to body language. Its insights are constrained not only by the science and social understanding of its era but also by a lack of inclusive perspective. That said, the work does include points worth noting, such as the recognition that gestures vary widely across cultures and that personal space is an instinctive need which people will actively defend when they feel it is invaded.

Ultimately, while Body Language offered me some food for thought, I found the writing style mechanical—almost like reading a how-to-be-human manual stripped of emotional depth. For readers entirely new to the subject, this may serve as a historical entry point into thinking about nonverbal communication, provided they keep in mind that the language reflects its time. Those seeking a more empathetic, nuanced, and inclusive discussion—one that accounts for both cultural variation and the lived realities of people with disabilities—may find this work alienating.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book out of antiquity.

The only reason this book receives so few stars, for the most part, is that the reader is trying to apply this as today's science and it does not work. The first printing was in 1970 and it was a novelty at the time. Now there are books upon books upon books on the subject and today it is still subjective. All you have to do is find out which book the other person is reading and practice the signals you want to make that person think that he/she has some sort of insight. In the meantime, this book is fun to read to see what over two million people read and what they must have thought.

It uses what looks like personal experiences to explain the ins and outs of body language in different cultures and situations.
Here is what it promises:

. How to make advances without taking chances!

. How to read shoulders. (Is the person in a good mood? Angry? Frightened?)

. The body language between sex partners. How to communicate feelings and need without words.

. How to enter a room full of strangers, inventory body positions, and tell who the "important" people are.

. How to use body language to assume leadership of a group.

. How you can use the "new" language to defeat language.

As Rene Belloq said in [Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark], "...We are simply passing through history; this *is* history."

[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2'5⭐

El libro introduce las bases del lenguaje corporal y explica algunas de las señales que puede transmitir el cuerpo, destacando la importancia del contexto para interpretar correctamente el comportamiento no verbal. Transmite bien la idea de que el lenguaje corporal tiene mucho poder, pero también recuerda que no todo gesto tiene un significado concreto y que solo un conjunto de señales coherentes permite una lectura fiable.
Como introducción cumple su función, ya que ofrece fundamentos útiles para entender qué es el lenguaje corporal y por qué es relevante. No obstante, presenta numerosas erratas, al menos en la quinta edición, que dificultan la lectura. También se aprecia que la redacción podría ser más clara y precisa para resultar verdaderamente práctica. Además, se nota que fue escrito en los años setenta, lo que hace que algunos ejemplos y expresiones resulten anticuados e incluso transmitan un tono ligeramente machista propio de la época.
En conclusión, es un libro adecuado si buscas una primera aproximación al lenguaje corporal, pero si tu intención es profundizar o acceder a contenidos más actualizados, puede quedarse corto.

[Brooke Otis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this book from a friend of mine who was giving things away before moving. I asked her afterward if she had read it. She responded that she hadn't gotten very far into it but couldn't remember why. I pointed out some rather disturbing pieces of sexism in the book and then she remembered. She apologized for not throwing it away instead of giving it away. At one point the author makes a middle aged man into a victim because he treated a young woman like a piece of meat and she gave him a a piece of her mind in return. At another point he makes men the victims for receiving a tongue lashing after they merely "relaxed themselves" against women on the subway. There's not much in the book about body language but it's great for the misogynist who needs a pat on the back.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating--> 3.5

Buen libro que personalmente me ha gustado.

Un libro corto que explica de una manera clara y sencilla las bases y los pilares del lenguaje del cuerpo. Hay que tener en cuenta que han pasado unos 50 años desde la primera publicación del libro, justo cuando comenzaba el estudio de la kinesia y el significado del lenguaje corporal.

El libro no entra a profundizar en detalle en el significado de los gestos y movimientos del cuerpo como podemos encontrar en otros libros que salieron posteriormente.
Aún así, si estás interesado en el estudio de la kinesia y el lenguaje corporal creo que este es un libro básico para empezar o para recordar los conceptos base de esta ciencia.

[Wes · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the main thing to take from this is that there are no hard and fast rules to body language. It's not a parlor trick like most people want it to be. Additionally, we all kind of understand what body language is, but have never really consciously thought about it or tried to evaluate it for some kind of truth. The big reveal here is that there are a whole number of factors to be taken into account when dissecting body language and it is no easy task. Culture, class and societal rules all play a part. Did I learn anything from all this? Not really, but will it give me some more food for thought in personal situations with other people? Sure, but I don't anticipate a sudden understanding.

[Sarah Levy]

So this isn't the book I read. I read a preview of Body Language by Marylee MacDonald, but it's not listed. It is a collection of short stories. Many of them were depressing and sad. Some were hopeful. They were all short and easy to read. It wasn't the type of thing I'd normally read, but it was written by the step mother-in-law of a bookclub member and we have read another book by her in the past. Some stories were quite complete, while others I felt needed fleshing out more. I wrote comments and highlighted typos in my edition and gave it back to the author.

[Suze Geuke · Rating 1 out of 5]

dit boek begon echt sterk met interessante observaties over betekenisvolle maar onbewuste bewegingen en afstanden tussenbeide. maar bleef het hele boek door precies dezelfde toon en opvattingen uitslaan.

aan het hoofdstuk over lichaamstaal en seksualiteit is goed te zien hoe oud dit boek eigenlijk is, dat is mateloos verouderd...

maar ondanks dat, interessant om te lezen over woordeloze communicatie en hoe het ingezet wordt. en te lezen over dingen waar ik het volstrekt niet mee eens ben, houdt me scherp.

[Jeff Ford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I was hoping for. Body Language provides a tantalizing introduction to what could be a very insightful approach to interpersonal communication. Unfortunately, it provides very little usable information and a great deal of ambiguity. I am sure that the field has advanced in the last 45+ years since publication. I'll have to look for a more up-to-date offering.

[Anson Cassel Mills · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly written for the moment and now more than 45 years old, Fast's book is largely of historical interest today. Nevertheless, because in 1970 Fast preceded a pack of other writers on the subject of body language, this brief book can still be suggestive for those who haven’t given a great deal of thought to the subject.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting keys to putting intuitively understood translation of body language into words.
Some outdated terms and formalities considered but overall covers a basic psychology of body language that still stands as part of the foundation of society today.
Appreciated the comparisons between cultures as well.

[Fernando Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un buen libro para saber expresarte usando la kinesia, en cada pequeña lección cuenta un breve relato sobre el como varía la apreciación de cada persona y no siempre significa lo que pensamos, Se enfoca en situaciones cotidianas y van relacionadas con el ligue.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the 1971 edition that I picked up years back before the used book store nearby went out of business. It caught my attention from the dedication. Part interest in the subject matter and a good dose of nostalgia got me through to the end.

[Michael Montoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro que te ayuda a ser más consciente de tus acciones, del por qué actuamos de la manera que lo hacemos y sobre todo como lo perciben las demás personas, adicional también te ayuda a identificar señales en los demás que consciente o inconscientemente realizan. Muy buen libro. 👌🏼